Method and equipment for positioning user equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a method and equipment for user equipment (UE) positioning. An embodiment of the present application provides a UE comprising: a transceiver configured to receive first positioning assistance data for downlink (DL) positioning in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and in particular, to user equipment (UE) positioning. Background Art

[0002] Downlink (DL) positioning measurements (e.g., DL positioning reference signal (PRS) measurements) are supported in current wireless technologies. For UEs in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state or an RRC inactive state, detailed positioning procedures (including, for example, procedures for positioning capability transmission or positioning assistance data delivery) have been developed or proposed. However, the details of the positioning procedures for UEs in an RRC idle state have not been discussed. Summary of the invention

[0003] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a UE comprising: a transceiver configured to receive first positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in an RRC idle state; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0004] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to: receive a request for positioning capability information when the UE is in the RRC idle state; and transmit the positioning capability information in response to the request, wherein the positioning capability information at least indicates that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0005] In some embodiments, the request is received in a paging message.

[0006] In some embodiments, the positioning capability information is transmitted via a random access channel (RACH) message, an RRC connection setup request message, or a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP) signaling.

[0007] In some embodiments, the positioning capability information is transmitted via Msg 3, and the transceiver is further configured to transmit an early indication in Msg 1 through a configured preamble sequence to indicate that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0008] In some embodiments, the positioning capability information includes at least one of: a first field indicating whether the UE supports DL PRS processing in the RRC idle state; or a second field indicating whether the UE supports DL PRS measurement in the RRC idle state.

[0009] In some embodiments, when the UE is in the RRC idle state, the first positioning assistance data is received in the positioning system information.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first positioning assistance data is received when the UE is in an RRC connected state.

[0011] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to: when the first positioning assistance data does not contain information required by the UE for DL ​​positioning, transmit an on-demand PRS request in the RRC idle state to request a PRS configuration for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0012] In some embodiments, the on-demand PRS request is transmitted via a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble and / or PRACH resource(s).

[0013] In some embodiments, the on-demand PRS request indicates in Msg 1 or Msg A a configuration index associated with the requested PRS configuration.

[0014] In some embodiments, the Msg 1 or Msg A includes a configured PRACH preamble associated with the requested PRS configuration.

[0015] In some embodiments, the on-demand PRS request explicitly indicates parameters of the requested PRS configuration in Msg 3 or Msg A.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first positioning assistance data is received in an RRC message or an LPP message.

[0017] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to activate the first positioning assistance data when the UE enters the RRC idle state, and deactivate the first positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state and acquires second positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state.

[0018] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to receive at least one validity condition associated with the first positioning assistance data.

[0019] In some embodiments, said at least one validity condition is received together with said first positioning assistance data.

[0020] In some embodiments, the at least one validity condition comprises a validity region.

[0021] In some embodiments, the at least one validity condition comprises a validity timer, and the processor is further configured to start the validity timer upon receiving the first positioning assistance data or when the UE enters the RRC idle state.

[0022] In some embodiments, when one or more validity conditions are configured for the first positioning assistance data, the processor is further configured to continue using the first positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state until second positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state is received or at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not satisfied.

[0023] In some embodiments, if no validity condition is configured for the first positioning assistance data, the transceiver is further configured to transmit a request for positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state.

[0024] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to continue using the first positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to an RRC inactive state.

[0025] In some embodiments, when one or more validity conditions are configured for the first positioning assistance data, the processor is further configured to continue using the first positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC inactive state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not met.

[0026] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to, upon receiving an indication to continue using the third positioning assistance data configured for the RRC connected state, continue using the third positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state.

[0027] In some embodiments, when one or more validity conditions are configured for third positioning assistance data for the RRC connected state, the processor is further configured to continue using the third positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not met or fourth positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state is received.

[0028] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to continue using fifth positioning assistance data configured for the RRC inactive state when the UE transitions from the RRC inactive state to the RRC idle state.

[0029] In some embodiments, when one or more validity conditions are configured for the fifth positioning assistance data for the RRC inactive state, the processor is further configured to continue using the fifth positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC inactive state to the RRC idle state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not met.

[0030] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to receive positioning specific cell selection or reselection information for use during cell selection or reselection in the RRC idle state.

[0031] In some embodiments, the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information comprises cell(s) associated with at least one of: a current serving location management function (LMF); or a region in which the first positioning assistance data is valid.

[0032] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to prioritize the cell(s) included in the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information when performing cell selection or reselection in the RRC idle state.

[0033] In some embodiments, the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information is received in a system information block (SIB) message or an RRC message together with the first positioning assistance data or independently of the first positioning assistance data.

[0034] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network entity, comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit first positioning assistance data for assisting a UE to perform DL positioning in an RRC idle state; and a processor coupled to the transceiver.

[0035] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to: transmit a request for positioning capability information to the UE when the UE is in the RRC idle state; and receive the positioning capability information from the UE in response to the request, wherein the positioning capability information indicates that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0036] In some embodiments, the request is transmitted via a paging message.

[0037] In some embodiments, the positioning capability information is received in a random access channel message, an RRC connection setup request message, or LPP signaling.

[0038] In some embodiments, the positioning capability information is received in Msg 3, and the transceiver is further configured to receive an early indication in Msg 1 via a configured preamble sequence to indicate that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0039] In some embodiments, the positioning capability information includes at least one of: a first field indicating whether the UE supports DL PRS processing in the RRC idle state; or a second field indicating whether the UE supports DL PRS measurement in the RRC idle state.

[0040] In some embodiments, when the UE is in the RRC idle state, the first positioning assistance data is transmitted via positioning system information.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first positioning assistance data is transmitted when the UE is in the RRC connected state.

[0042] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to: when the UE is in the RRC idle state, receive an on-demand PRS request from the UE to request a PRS configuration for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0043] In some embodiments, the on-demand PRS request is received via a PRACH preamble and / or PRACH resource(s).

[0044] In some embodiments, the on-demand PRS request indicates in Msg 1 or Msg A a configuration index associated with the requested PRS configuration.

[0045] In some embodiments, the Msg 1 or Msg A includes a configured PRACH preamble associated with the requested PRS configuration.

[0046] In some embodiments, the on-demand PRS request explicitly indicates parameters of the requested PRS configuration in Msg 3 or Msg A.

[0047] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine a mapping relationship between (several) PRACH preamble codes and (several) DL PRS configurations.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first positioning assistance data is transmitted via an RRC message or an LPP message.

[0049] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit at least one validity condition associated with the first positioning assistance data.

[0050] In some embodiments, said at least one validity condition is transmitted together with said first positioning assistance data.

[0051] In some embodiments, the at least one validity condition comprises at least one of a validity zone or a validity timer.

[0052] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit an indication indicating that the UE continues to use second positioning assistance data for the RRC connected state when the UE transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state.

[0053] In some embodiments, the indication is transmitted in an RRC Connection Release message.

[0054] In some embodiments, the transceiver is further configured to transmit positioning specific cell selection or reselection information for use by the UE during cell selection or reselection in the RRC idle state.

[0055] In some embodiments, the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information comprises cell(s) associated with at least one of: a current serving LMF; or an area in which the first positioning assistance data is valid.

[0056] In some embodiments, the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information is transmitted in a SIB message or an RRC message together with the first positioning assistance data or independently of the first positioning assistance data.

[0057] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a UE. The method includes: receiving first positioning assistance data for performing DL positioning in an RRC idle state; and performing DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0058] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a network entity. The method includes transmitting first positioning assistance data for assisting a UE to perform DL positioning in an RRC idle state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the present application can be obtained, the description of the present application is presented with reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only example embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be considered limiting of its scope.

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figure 2A flow chart illustrating an example method performed by a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating an example method for DL ​​positioning according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 4 A simplified block diagram illustrating an example device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The detailed description of the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention can be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions can be achieved by different embodiments that are intended to be included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0065] Although the operations are depicted in a particular order in the drawings, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that such operations need not be performed in the particular order as shown or in a sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations need not be performed to achieve the desired result; one or more operations may sometimes be skipped. In addition, the drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flow chart. However, other operations not depicted may be incorporated into the schematically illustrated example processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0066] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding, embodiments are provided under specific network architectures and new service scenarios (e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G New Air (NR), 3GPP LTE, etc.). It is considered that all embodiments in the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems as network architectures and new service scenarios develop; and in addition, the terms cited in the present disclosure may be changed, which should not affect the principles of the present disclosure.

[0067] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0068] like Figure 1 , a wireless communication system 100 includes at least one base station (BS) 101, at least one UE (e.g., UE 102a and UE 102b), and at least one LMF 103. Figure 1 One BS, two UEs, and one LMF are depicted in FIG. 1 , but it is contemplated that the wireless communication system 100 may include any number of BSs, UEs, and LMFs.

[0069] The wireless communication system 100 is compatible with any type of network capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the wireless communication system 100 is compatible with wireless communication networks, cellular telephone networks, networks based on time division multiple access (TDMA), networks based on code division multiple access (CDMA), networks based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), LTE networks, networks based on 3GPP, 3GPP 5G networks, satellite communication networks, high altitude platform networks, and / or other communication networks.

[0070] BS 101 may also be referred to as an access point, an access terminal, a base, a macro cell, a radio access network (RAN) node, a next generation (NG) RAN node, a Node B, an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB, a Home Node B, a home node or a device, or described using other terms used in the art. BS 101 is typically part of a RAN, which may include a controller communicatively coupled to BS 101.

[0071] According to some embodiments of the present application, UE 102a and UE 102b may include vehicle UE (VUE) and / or power-saving UE (also referred to as power-sensitive UE). Power-saving UE may include vulnerable road users (VRU), public safety UE (PS-UE) and / or commercial sidelink UE (CS-UE) that is sensitive to power consumption. In an embodiment of the present application, VRU may include pedestrian UE (P-UE), cyclist UE, wheelchair UE or other UE that needs to save power compared to VUE. In an embodiment of the present application, UE 102a may be a power-saving UE and UE 102b may be a VUE. In another embodiment of the present application, both UE 102a and UE 102b may be VUE or power-saving UE.

[0072] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102a and UE 102b may include computing devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, smart TVs (e.g., TVs connected to the Internet), set-top boxes, game consoles, security systems (including security cameras), vehicle-mounted computers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, and modems), or the like.

[0073] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102a and UE 102b may include a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a flip phone, a device with a subscriber identification module, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, or any other device capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a wireless network.

[0074] According to some other embodiments of the present application, UE 102a and UE 102b may include wearable devices, such as smart watches, fitness bands, optical head-mounted displays, or the like.

[0075] In addition, a UE may be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile device, a mobile station, a user, a terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a fixed terminal, a subscriber station, a user terminal or a device, or described using other terms used in the art.

[0076] Figure 1 In the example, both UE 102a and UE 102b are within the coverage area of ​​BS 101 and can communicate with BS 101, for example, via an LTE or NR Uu interface.

[0077] LMF 103 (also referred to as LMF entity) may refer to a network element or network entity for supporting location services, which may be deployed in a core network (CN) or in a RAN of the wireless communication system 100. LMF 103 may communicate with BS 101 via NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) signaling, and may communicate with UE 102a or UE 102b via LPP signaling. In the present disclosure, both LMF and BS may be referred to as network entities or networks.

[0078] For a UE in an RRC connected state, a connection is established between the UE and the BS, and a connection is also established between the UE and the LMF. For a UE in an RRC inactive state, a connection is established between the UE and the LMF, but no connection is established between the UE and the BS. For a UE in an RRC idle state, no connection is established between the UE and the BS or the LMF.

[0079] DL positioning may be performed by the UE in an RRC connected state or an RRC inactive state. For example, when the UE is in an RRC inactive state, if the UE starts data transmission using uplink (UL) small data transmission (SDT), the network may send a DL location service (LCS), LPP, and an RRC message (e.g., a positioning reference signal (PRS) used to configure DL positioning, if supported) to the UE, and the UE may perform DL positioning accordingly; otherwise, if the UE does not start UL SDT, the network may, for example, transition the UE to an RRC connected state based on RAN paging, and the UE may perform DL positioning in the RRC connected state.

[0080] When the DL positioning method is applied, positioning assistance data may be delivered from the network to the UE to help the UE perform PRS reception and measurement. For example, in order to perform DL positioning in an RRC inactive state, the positioning assistance data may be delivered to the UE through positioning system information by configuring the positioning assistance data when the UE is in an RRC connected state or by sending the positioning assistance data during an ongoing SDT process.

[0081] The UE may also support DL positioning in the RRC idle state. The present disclosure focuses on implementing DL positioning (eg, DL PRS measurement) for a UE in the RRC idle state, including details of the process of positioning capability transmission, positioning assistance data delivery, etc.

[0082] Figure 2 An exemplary method performed by a UE supporting DL positioning in an RRC idle state according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0083] In step 210, the UE may receive positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state from the network.

[0084] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE is in the RRC idle state, the UE may receive positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state. For example, the UE may receive the positioning assistance data via positioning system information (eg, posSIB).

[0085] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE is in an RRC connected state, the UE may receive positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in an RRC idle state. In some embodiments, the UE may receive positioning assistance data in an RRC message from a BS or an LPP message from an LMF. For example, the RRC message may be an RRC connection release message or a separate RRC message. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE enters an RRC idle state, for example, when an RRC connection release message is received from a BS, the UE may activate positioning assistance data, and when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state and obtains new positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in an RRC connected state from the network, for example, through an LPP or RRC message, the UE may deactivate the positioning assistance data.

[0086] According to some embodiments, in the case where the received positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state does not contain information (e.g., sufficient information) required for the UE to perform DL positioning in the RRC idle state, the UE in the RRC idle state may transmit an on-demand PRS request to request a PRS configuration for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state. In some embodiments, the on-demand PRS request may be transmitted via a PRACH preamble and / or (several) PRACH resources.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network may determine a mapping relationship between (several) PRACH preambles and (several) PRS configurations for DL ​​positioning. For example, the LMF may negotiate with the BS to configure a mapping relationship between (several) PRACH preambles and (several) corresponding PRS configurations (e.g., (several) indices of (several) corresponding PRS configurations). Therefore, the on-demand PRS request may indicate the configuration index associated with the requested PRS configuration in Msg 1 (for 4-step RACH) or Msg A (for 2-step RACH). For example, according to the mapping relationship determined by the network, Msg 1 or Msg A may include a configured PRACH preamble associated with the requested PRS configuration. For example, a specific PRACH preamble is associated with posSibType6-6 (NR-On-Demand-DL-PRS-Configurations). Upon receiving this PRACH preamble, the network may know the corresponding PRS configuration required by the UE.

[0088] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the on-demand PRS request may explicitly indicate the parameters of the requested PRS configuration in Msg 3 (for 4-step RACH) or Msg A (for 2-step RACH).

[0089] In step 220, the UE may perform DL positioning (e.g., DL PRS measurement) in the RRC idle state. The positioning assistance data received in step 210 may be used for DL ​​positioning. In some embodiments, after performing DL positioning in the RRC idle state, the UE may report DL positioning measurements and / or positioning estimates to the network.

[0090] Figure 3 An exemplary method for DL ​​positioning according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is described. The method includes interaction between a UE and a network.

[0091] In step 310, when the UE is in the RRC idle state, the network may transmit a request for positioning capability information to the UE.

[0092] In some embodiments, the request for positioning capability information is included in a request message from an access and mobility management function (AMF) to a BS, and the BS transmits the request for positioning capability information to the UE via, for example, a paging message. In some embodiments, the paging message may be a core network (CN) paging message.

[0093] In step 320, the UE may transmit its positioning capability information to the network in response to the request received from the network, wherein the positioning capability information may indicate that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0094] In some embodiments, after receiving the paging message, the UE may transmit the positioning capability information via a random access channel message (e.g., Msg3 or Msg A) or an RRC connection setup request message. For example, if 4-step RACH is applied, the UE indicates the positioning capability information to the network in Msg 3; if 2-step RACH is applied, the UE may transmit the positioning capability information to the network in Msg A. In some embodiments, after the UE enters the RRC connected state through the RACH process, the UE may transmit the positioning capability information via LPP signaling.

[0095] In some embodiments, a specific preamble sequence associated with positioning is configured. In such a case, the UE can transmit an early indication in Msg 1 by the configured preamble sequence to indicate that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state, and then transmit the positioning capability information in Msg 3. The use of early indication can speed up signal processing and improve efficiency.

[0096] In some embodiments, the positioning capability information may indicate one or more capabilities related to DL positioning. For example, the positioning capability information may include at least one of the following:

[0097] A first field (e.g., nr-DL-PRS-ProcessingRRC-Idle), which indicates whether the UE supports DL PRS processing in RRC Idle state; or

[0098] • A second field (eg, nr-dl-PRS-MeasRRC-Idle), which indicates whether the UE supports DL PRS measurement in RRC Idle state.

[0099] In some embodiments, a UE in an RRC idle state may transmit positioning capability information to a BS, and the BS forwards the positioning capability information to the LMF.

[0100] In some embodiments, in the event that the UE does not support DL positioning in the RRC idle state, the UE may transmit positioning capability information indicating that the UE does not support DL positioning in the RRC idle state in response to a request received from the network.

[0101] In some embodiments, after the network transmits a request for positioning capability information to a UE in RRC idle state, if the UE does not initiate a RACH procedure or the UE does not transmit positioning capability information to the network, the network may assume that the UE does not support DL positioning in RRC idle state.

[0102] After receiving the positioning capability information indicating that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state, the network may transmit the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state to the UE in step 330. In some embodiments, the UE may transmit a request message to indicate that it is interested in being configured with positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state; after receiving the positioning capability information indicating that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state and also receiving a request message from the UE to indicate that it is interested in being configured with positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state, the network may transmit the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state to the UE in step 330. For example, the positioning assistance data may be as described in relation to Figure 2 The described method is transmitted to the UE.

[0103] In step 340, the UE may perform DL positioning in the RRC idle state. In some embodiments, after performing DL positioning in the RRC idle state, the UE may report DL positioning measurements and / or positioning estimates to the network.

[0104] In some embodiments, the UE may receive one or more validity conditions associated with positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state (i.e., configure one or more validity conditions for the positioning assistance data). For example, the one or more validity conditions may be received together with the associated positioning assistance data. In this case, the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state is valid only when the one or more validity conditions are met.

[0105] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more validity conditions may include a validity area, wherein the positioning assistance data is valid only when the UE is within the validity area. The validity area may include one or more cells, tracking areas, etc.

[0106] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more validity conditions may include validity time information, such as a validity timer. The UE may start the validity timer when receiving the positioning assistance data or when the UE enters the RRC idle state, such as when receiving an RRC connection release message from the BS. The positioning assistance data is valid only after the timer is started and before the timer expires.

[0107] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when one or more validity conditions are configured for positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in an RRC idle state, when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state until the UE receives other positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state (for example, the UE may receive new positioning assistance data via an LPP message in the RRC connected state, such as provideassistancedata), or at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not satisfied.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state, without configuring a validity condition for the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state, the UE may transmit a request (e.g., RequestAssistancedata) for the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state.

[0109] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC inactive state, without configuring a validity condition for the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0110] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when one or more validity conditions are configured for positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in an RRC idle state, when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC inactive state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not met, or the UE receives other positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC inactive state (for example, the UE may receive new positioning assistance data from a SIB message or from an ongoing SDT process in the RRC inactive state).

[0111] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE receives an indication from the network indicating to continue to use the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state, when the UE transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state. For example, the UE may receive the indication in an RRC connection release message.

[0112] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when one or more validity conditions (e.g., validity area or validity timer) are configured for positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in an RRC connected state, when the UE transitions from an RRC connected state to an RRC idle state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not met, or the UE receives other positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state (e.g., the UE may receive new positioning assistance data from an SIB message in the RRC idle state).

[0113] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE transitions from the RRC inactive state to the RRC idle state, without configuring a validity condition for the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC inactive state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC inactive state.

[0114] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when one or more validity conditions (e.g., validity area or validity timer) are configured for positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in an RRC inactive state, when the UE transitions from the RRC inactive state to the RRC idle state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC inactive state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not met, or the UE receives other positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state (e.g., the UE may receive new positioning assistance data from a SIB message in the RRC idle state).

[0115] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when one or more validity conditions are configured for positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in an RRC inactive state, when the UE transitions from the RRC inactive state to the RRC connected state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC inactive state until the UE receives other positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state (for example, the UE may receive new positioning assistance data, such as provideassistancedata, via an LPP message in the RRC connected state), or at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not satisfied.

[0116] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the UE transitions from the RRC inactive state to the RRC connected state, without configuring a validity condition for the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC inactive state, the UE may transmit a request (e.g., RequestAssistancedata) for positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state.

[0117] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case where the UE receives the positioning assistance data indicating the continued use of the indication for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state, when the UE transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC inactive state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state. For example, the UE may receive the indication in an RRC connection release message.

[0118] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when one or more validity conditions (e.g., validity area or validity timer) are configured for positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in an RRC connected state, when the UE transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC inactive state, the UE may continue to use the positioning assistance data used for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not met, or the UE receives other positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC inactive state (e.g., the UE may receive new positioning assistance data from a SIB message or from an ongoing SDT process in the RRC inactive state).

[0119] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network may transmit positioning specific cell selection or reselection information to the UE, which may be used during cell selection or reselection in the RRC idle state. In some embodiments, the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information includes a cell associated with at least one of:

[0120] · Currently serving LMF; or

[0121] • A region in which positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state is valid.

[0122] In the present disclosure, the cell may refer to a BS, a transmit-receive point (TRP), or a cell of a BS.

[0123] In some embodiments, the network may transmit positioning specific cell selection or reselection information together with or independently of positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in RRC idle state. For example, the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information may be transmitted in a SIB message or an RRC message (e.g., an RRC connection release message).

[0124] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when performing cell selection or reselection in the RRC idle state, the UE may prioritize the cell(s) included in the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information. That is, the cell(s) included in the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information may have a higher priority for selection or reselection than the other candidate cells(s) not included in the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information. The use of positioning specific cell selection or reselection information may save signaling overhead and improve the efficiency of DL positioning.

[0125] Figure 4 A simplified block diagram illustrating an example device 400 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0126] In some embodiments, the apparatus 400 may be a UE capable of performing the aforementioned method for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state, or may include at least a portion of the UE.

[0127] In some embodiments, the apparatus 400 may be a network entity capable of executing the aforementioned method for DL ​​positioning from the network side or may include at least a part of the network entity.

[0128] like Figure 4 , the apparatus 400 may include at least one transceiver 410 and a processor 420 coupled to the transceiver 410. In some embodiments, the transceiver 410 may include a transmitter and a receiver integrated together. In some embodiments, the transceiver 410 may include a transmitter and a receiver separated from each other. In some embodiments, the transceiver 410 may be a wireless transceiver.

[0129] In some embodiments, the apparatus 400 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium 430 having computer-executable instructions 440 stored thereon, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium 430 may be coupled to the processor 420 and the transceiver 410, and the computer-executable instructions 440 may be configured to be executable by the processor 420. In some embodiments, the transceiver 410, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 430, and the processor 420 may be coupled to each other via one or more local buses.

[0130] Despite Figure 4 4, elements such as transceiver 410, non-transitory computer-readable medium 430, and processor 420 are described in the singular, but unless explicitly stated to be limited to the singular, the plural is also contemplated. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, device 400 may further include other components for practical purposes.

[0131] In various example embodiments, processor 420 may include, but is not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor (e.g., a CPU), a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable special-purpose processor, such as a special-purpose processor developed based on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In addition, processor 420 may also include Figure 4 At least one other circuit system or element not shown.

[0132] In various example embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 430 may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, for example, RAM, cache, etc. Non-volatile memory may include, but is not limited to, for example, ROM, hard disk, flash memory, etc. In addition, the non-transitory computer-readable medium 430 may include, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, apparatus or device, or any combination of the above.

[0133] Furthermore, in various example embodiments, apparatus 400 may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, such as an antenna element and the like.

[0134] According to some embodiments, the apparatus 400 is a UE. The transceiver 410 and the processor 420 may be configured to perform the operations performed by the UE in any of the methods described above. For example, the transceiver 410 may be configured to receive positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in an RRC idle state, and the processor 420 may be configured to perform DL positioning in an RRC idle state.

[0135] According to some embodiments, the apparatus 400 is a network entity. The transceiver 410 and the processor 420 may be configured to perform operations performed by the network entity in any of the methods described above. For example, the transceiver 410 may be configured to transmit positioning assistance data for assisting the UE to perform DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

[0136] In various exemplary embodiments, the circuit systems, components, elements, and interfaces (including processors and non-transitory computer-readable media) in the exemplary devices may be connected together in any suitable manner (e.g., electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like) via any suitable connections (including but not limited to buses, crossbars, wires, and / or wireless links).

[0137] The methods of the present disclosure may be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flow charts, and modules may also be implemented on a general or special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit components, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit (e.g., a discrete component circuit), a programmable logic device, or the like. In general, any device having a finite state machine capable of implementing the flow charts shown in the figures may be used to implement the processing functions of the present disclosure.

[0138] Although the present disclosure has been described by its specific embodiments, many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the described embodiments may be interchanged, added or replaced in other embodiments. Moreover, all elements shown in each figure are not necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, a person skilled in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to make and use the teachings of the present disclosure by simply adopting the elements of the independent claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0139] The terms "includes", "includes", "including" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements not only comprises those elements, but may also comprise other elements that are not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element beginning with "a", "an" or the like does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in a process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. As used herein, the terms "comprising", "having" and the like are defined as "comprising".

[0140] In the present disclosure, relational terms such as “first,” “second,” and the like may be used merely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order between such entities or actions.

Claims

1. A user equipment UE, comprising: A transceiver configured to: Receiving first positioning assistance data for downlink (DL) positioning in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: DL positioning is performed in the RRC idle state.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: receiving a request for positioning capability information when the UE is in the RRC idle state; and The positioning capability information is transmitted in response to the request, wherein the positioning capability information indicates that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state, and wherein the request is received in a paging message.

3. The UE according to claim 2, wherein the positioning capability information is transmitted via Msg 3, and the transceiver is further configured to transmit an early indication in Msg 1 through a configured preamble sequence to indicate that the UE supports DL positioning in the RRC idle state.

4. The UE of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: When the first positioning assistance data does not contain information required by the UE to perform DL positioning, an on-demand PRS request is transmitted in the RRC idle state to request a PRS configuration for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state, wherein the on-demand PRS request is transmitted via a physical random access channel PRACH preamble code and / or (several) PRACH resources. 5 . The UE of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive at least one validity condition associated with the first positioning assistance data. The UE of claim 5 , wherein the at least one validity condition comprises a validity area.

7. The UE of claim 5, wherein the at least one validity condition comprises a validity timer, and the processor is further configured to start the validity timer when the first positioning assistance data is received or when the UE enters the RRC idle state.

8. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, when one or more validity conditions are configured for the first positioning assistance data, the processor is further configured to continue using the first positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC connected state until second positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC connected state is received or at least one validity condition of the one or more validity conditions is not satisfied.

9. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, when one or more validity conditions are configured for the first positioning assistance data, the processor is further configured to continue using the first positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC idle state to the RRC inactive state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not satisfied.

10. The UE of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to, upon receiving an indication indicating to continue to use the third positioning assistance data configured for an RRC connected state, continue to use the third positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state.

11. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, when one or more validity conditions are configured for the third positioning assistance data for the RRC connected state, the processor is further configured to continue using the third positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not met or a fourth positioning assistance data for DL ​​positioning in the RRC idle state is received.

12. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, when one or more validity conditions are configured for the fifth positioning assistance data for the RRC inactive state, the processor is further configured to continue using the fifth positioning assistance data when the UE transitions from the RRC inactive state to the RRC idle state until at least one of the one or more validity conditions is not satisfied.

13. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive positioning specific cell selection or reselection information for use during cell selection or reselection in the RRC idle state, and wherein the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information comprises cell(s) associated with at least one of: The current serving location management function LMF; or An area in which the first positioning assistance data is valid.

14. The UE of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to prioritize the cell(s) included in the positioning specific cell selection or reselection information when performing cell selection or reselection in the RRC idle state.

15. A network entity, comprising: A transceiver configured to: transmitting first positioning assistance data for assisting user equipment UE to perform downlink DL positioning in a radio resource control RRC idle state; and A processor is coupled to the transceiver.

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